Thomas blinked and she could see his jaw tighten. He obviously didn’t like that she was accusing his family. Despite her earlier resolution to keep her mouth shut, she’d still managed to offend him.
“I don’t mean to point a finger at anybody,” she said quickly. “But such a secret passage would most likely be known only to the family.”
“I didn’t know about it.”
“Your mother and Penelope will be eager to know where we found this trunk. We can casually ask them if they knew about the passage.”
“I really don’t think that’s necessary.”
Cordelia felt herself stiffen. Thomas didn’t want to hear any criticism of the perfect and proper Penelope. She couldn’t help but think about how Thomas always gave Penelope a special smile that seemed to be reserved just for her. It seemed to reference a lifetime of memories and inside jests. Whenever he looked at her, Penelope lit up like an electric light, her beauty brighter and more sparkling.
Cordelia felt cold all over and hugged herself. She may be Thomas’s wife and partner—maybe even his friend, but she still wasn’t the woman he loved. “All right.”
She heard a knock and sprung to her feet, pulling on her robe and tying it. “I’m coming, Miss Vaughn.”
Her maid stood in the hall, her brown hair pulled tightly back and the same stern look on her face. She was holding the breakfast tray.
“Please come in.”
Miss Vaughn placed the tray on the table, carefully avoiding any looks in Thomas’s direction. She set down the tray and bowed to Cordelia before leaving the room. Thomas picked up the tray and placed it on the bed between them.
He opened the lid and picked up a piece of bacon and held it out to her. “A peace offering.”
Cordelia took the bacon and bit it. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I know.”
“And I shouldn’t have accused your mother.”
Thomas lips quirked into a charming smile, and he mimicked Blanche, “Do they have bacon in America?”
Cordelia felt a bubble of laughter form inside of her chest and force itself out. “I must admit that she hasn’t asked me that particular question yet.”
“Give it time. Give it time.”
She couldn’t help but think that those words applied to all aspects of her life. She needed to give her marriage, Ashdown Abbey, and these people time to get to know her. And she ought to make a greater effort to get to know them.
They finished the breakfast tray, and Thomas dropped a kiss on her brow before leaving the room with the trunk. She didn’t know what to make of that slight affection. Or why she felt tingly afterward. And how she missed him when he left. She pushed down these confusing emotions while Vaughn dressed her.
Cordelia went on her morning walk through the ash grove. She loved how the morning sunshine streamed through the canopy of leaves, creating rays of light. Standing underneath her favorite tree, she watched the sun rise over Ashdown Abbey. The ancient building’s reflection in the rectangular pond—it was too beautiful for words. Maybe she could be happy here.
When she returned from her walk, she didn’t go to the sitting room but opened door after door until she found Penelope and Blanche in a parlor. They were both working on needlework, and her mother-in-law set down her materials and smiled. Penelope’s usually pale face was red, and she didn’t make eye contact with Cordelia.
“Cordelia, how are you this morning?”
“Very good, Blanche.”
“Would you like to stitch with us?” she asked. “We are making clothes for the needy. That is, if you know how to sew. Do you have sewing needles in America?”
“We do have sewing needles in America, and I would be happy to help, but I—Lois suggested we throw a party before the London Season starts. I was wondering if you would make us a list of whom to invite, Blanche. And perhaps Penelope could help me write the invitations. We only have three weeks until the last weekend of March.”
“A party!” Blanche exclaimed. “It has been so long since we’ve had a house party at Ashdown. What fun!”
“Lois suggested a fancy-dress party if that’s agreeable.”
“Must it be a fancy-dress ball?” Penelope asked, her eyes still focused on her hands.
“Lois seemed quite set on it,” Cordelia said apologetically.
